***Official*** Road to Euro 2012

[roseboy64]

Think you have to blame Cahill for those goals not Smalling. First one he was telling Smalling to mark Huntelaar then also marks Huntelaar leaving Robben a free run and means Smalling has to turn back and pick up Robben despite Cahill having been in the better position. Second one, Cahill follows Huntelaar deep then they're both running into the box and he loses him and misses the header so Smalling has to come round on the cover and hence the head knocking.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by cpr

Phil'll be a centre back in time, just not yet. He needs a bit more calmness to his play, know when to maraud forward and when not.... best at RB for now.

In which case he shouldn't be anywhere near the squad as there's at least 3 ahead of him in the queue for that spot.

[roseboy64]

He's versatile though and is a good option in CM as well. Useful since Rooney can't play the first two games and you want the most out of the rest of the squad.

[sledger]

Surely you're not suggesting he'd be an adept replacement for Rooney?

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by roseboy64

He's versatile though and is a good option in CM as well. Useful since Rooney can't play the first two games and you want the most out of the rest of the squad.

23 players gives enough for 2 specialists in each position - somebody being versatile is only really a benefit if your bench is limited to 6 or 7 out of the squad, but it's not so I'd rather see specialists taken. Was stupid to put him on and move Richards, suggests nobody has faith in him in the position he's supposed to be a specialist in if they'd rather play a second player out of position rather than him.

As for a "good" option in centre mid, I'd rather play a quality player in that position, certainly don't lack players there.

[flibbertyjibber]

I see Gerrard got injured again last night, I worry about him in the tournament. Liverpool have tried managing the workload since his return from injury but England will play him in every game, I fear he will break down again in the summer. Has been a quality player but nowhere near the player he once was.

I've written off this summer, don't even expect us to get out of the group stage, just hope they learn from it and are better prepared for the World Cup if we qualify.

[Eds]

Originally Posted by flibbertyjibber

I see Gerrard got injured again last night, I worry about him in the tournament. Liverpool have tried managing the workload since his return from injury but England will play him in every game, I fear he will break down again in the summer. Has been a quality player but nowhere near the player he once was.

I've written off this summer, don't even expect us to get out of the group stage, just hope they learn from it and are better prepared for the World Cup if we qualify.

Even though I do agree with this post, it was precautionary rather than an actual injury. "Tight hamstring", supposedly.

[Tom Halsey]

Originally Posted by marc71178

As for a "good" option in centre mid, I'd rather play a quality player in that position, certainly don't lack players there.

Can't think of too many good (and available) English central midfielders myself...

[roseboy64]

Originally Posted by sledger

Surely you're not suggesting he'd be an adept replacement for Rooney?

Not at all.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by Tom Halsey

Can't think of too many good (and available) English central midfielders myself...

He'd be behind Parker, Barry, Milner, Gerrard, Lampard for starters.

[TT Boy]

Originally Posted by marc71178

He'd be behind Parker, Barry, Milner, Gerrard, Lampard for starters.

Jones ****s on him tbh. How Barry still gets a gig after the last World Cup is beyond me. Worst aspect of the game on Wednesday night was seeing the Dutch line-up with two hatchet men in midfield (albeit one had a stormer - van Bommel) and England countering that with the limited Parker and the ultra-limited Barry.

Jones is nowhere near the finished product but there is no young English footballer who is dynamic as he. Forget about playing centre half for now, that looks like a pipe dream giving how he has being continually exposed there but as a centre midfielder he looks the business.

[flibbertyjibber]

Originally Posted by TT Boy

Jones ****s on him tbh. How Barry still gets a gig after the last World Cup is beyond me. Worst aspect of the game on Wednesday night was seeing the Dutch line-up with two hatchet men in midfield (albeit one had a stormer - van Bommel) and England countering that with the limited Parker and the ultra-limited Barry.

Jones is nowhere near the finished product but there is no young English footballer who is dynamic as he. Forget about playing centre half for now, that looks like a pipe dream giving how he has being continually exposed there but as a centre midfielder he looks the business.

That is bollocks, Wilshere and Rodwell are 2 young English players who are far better than Jones in midfield. That doesn't even include guys like Gerrard, Lampard, Barry and many more who are far better midfielders than Jones will ever be.

[TT Boy]

Originally Posted by flibbertyjibber

That is bollocks, Wilshere and Rodwell are 2 young English players who are far better than Jones in midfield. That doesn't even include guys like Gerrard, Lampard, Barry and many more who are far better midfielders than Jones will ever be.

What part? Bit silly to say a kid who has already shown to be very talented won't be half the player Gareth Barry was/is. Gareth Barry is best remembered in an England shirt for chasing Bastian Schweinsteiger's shadow, when the two met again earlier this season, Barry again was introduced to Bastian's shadow. Nothing against Barry, I think he is a solid club pro but he isn't international class, Jones is and will be even more so in the future. I never said he was a better midfielder than Wilshere and Rodwell (he is though) but as neither is fit, it is a bit of moot point to bring those guys into the equation. If I am picking from one of Gerrard, Lampard, Barry and Jones, then I see no reason on current form why Jones shouldn't play.

[Marcuss]

Jones better than Wilshere? Jesus christ.

[cpr]

Pretty sure he said 'at the moment' at least once. Considering Wiltshire hasn't kicked a ball all year, and is at the hands of the Arsenal Butchers/Medical team.....